Sangamon Sun

A new report released by the Office of the Executive Inspector General (OEIG) has shown a historically high number of complaints and investigations into state agencies in Fiscal Year 2023. The 66-page report, which can be found on the OEIG's website, reveals that a total of 3,078 complaints were filed, leading to 450 investigations being opened.

The report highlights various instances of wrongdoing within state agencies, including fraudulent conduct, unprofessional behavior, mismanagement, and conflicts of interest. Some specific examples mentioned in the report include a human services caseworker using an incarcerated individual's link card for 13 months, sexual misconduct within the department of corrections, and improper hiring practices.

Senator Bennett, commenting on the scathing report, sees it as another example of the ongoing issues within the Pritzker Administration. He points out that this report follows several other audits of agencies under the governor's control, including a concerning audit of the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) and continued issues with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA).

In other news, lawmakers were able to pass legislation during the veto session that restores some local control over green energy projects. Senate Bill 1699, supported by the members of the Senate Republican Caucus, aims to protect farmers and landowners affected by wind and solar farms. The legislation requires developers to plan for and repair any damage caused to agricultural crops and drainage systems, as well as restore surface drainage after construction and deconstruction.

Senator Bennett sees this legislation as a positive step in the right direction to undo some of the damage caused by the Governor's green energy push. However, he continues to advocate for the restoration of local control over wind and solar projects.

The Illinois Veterans History Project is calling for submissions from military veterans and their families. The project, developed in collaboration with the Library of Congress and the Illinois Secretary of State's office, aims to collect and preserve first-hand recollections of veterans who served in the five military branches. Submissions can be made through the project's website, and the collection currently contains over 6,700 records.

Moving on to financial matters, the State of Illinois currently owes $1,820,363,200.27 to state vendors, with 35,358 pending vouchers. This figure represents the bills submitted to the office of the Comptroller that are still awaiting payment. It does not include other estimated debts, such as the unfunded pension liability, which is believed to be over $139 billion.

Finally, with the Thanksgiving holiday approaching, the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Office is offering safety tips for a safe holiday dinner. Cooking fires are most common on Thanksgiving, with an estimated average of 2,300 residential building fires reported each year on that day. Some tips include never leaving food unattended while cooking, ensuring the turkey is completely thawed before frying, and creating a "Kid Free Zone" around the stove to prevent accidents.

That's all for this week in the 53rd District. State Senator Tom Bennett continues to work diligently to represent the constituents and address the issues affecting the district.

Click this link to access more information: https://senatortombennett.com/2023/11/17/update-from-senator-bennett-nov-17/